May 3, 2008
Candrea Thomas
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
candrea.k.thomas@nasa.gov
Katherine Trinidad
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-3749
katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 08-112
SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD, COUNTDOWN TEST SET
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After safely reaching its launch pad at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Discovery now awaits its next
major milestone for the upcoming STS-124 mission. A launch dress
rehearsal, known as the terminal countdown demonstration test, is
scheduled to take place at Kennedy from May 6 to 9.
Discovery arrived at the pad at 4:25 a.m. EDT Saturday on top of a
giant crawler-transporter. The crawler-transporter left Kennedy's
Vehicle Assembly Building at 11:47 p.m. Friday, traveling less than 1
mph during the 3.4-mile journey. The shuttle was secured on the
launch pad at 6:06 a.m. Saturday.
Discovery is targeted to launch May 31 on a 13-day mission to the
International Space Station. The shuttle's seven crew members will
deliver the Kibo laboratory's large Japanese Pressurized Module, or
JPM, and its remote manipulator system to the International Space
Station. Three spacewalks will be conducted during the flight.
Mark Kelly will command the STS-124 mission. Ken Ham will be the
pilot. The mission specialists are Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike
Fossum, Greg Chamitoff and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
astronaut Akihiko Hoshide. Chamitoff will remain on the station as a
resident crew member, replacing station Flight Engineer Garrett
Reisman, who will return home on Discovery.
The STS-124 astronauts and ground crews will participate in the
practice countdown. The terminal countdown demonstration test
provides each shuttle crew with an opportunity to participate in
various simulated countdown activities, including equipment
familiarization and emergency training.
STS-124 is the 123rd shuttle flight, the 35th flight for Discovery and
the 26th flight to the station.
The following media events are associated with the test. All times are
Eastern.
- May 6 - STS-124 crew arrival: The astronauts will arrive at 5 p.m.
at the Shuttle Landing Facility and make a statement. The arrival
will be broadcast live on NASA Television.
- May 8 - STS-124 crew media availability: The crew will take media
questions at Launch Pad 39A at 8:30 a.m. The session will be carried
live on NASA TV.
- May 9 - STS-124 crew walkout photo opportunity: The astronauts will
depart from the Operations and Checkout Building at 7:45 a.m. in
their flight entry suits in preparation for the countdown
demonstration test at the launch pad. The walkout will not be
broadcast live, but will be part of the NASA TV Video File.
Dates and times of events are subject to change. Schedule updates are
available at 321-867-2525.
To attend crew arrival, reporters must pick up badges between 8 a.m.
and 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at the Pass and Identification Building on
State Road 405. For information about covering these events,
including proper attire and meeting locations, credentialed media
should visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/media.html
Accreditation for new foreign media and U.S. media without permanent
Kennedy Space Center credentials is closed.
Video B-roll of the terminal countdown demonstration test will be
available on the NASA TV Video File. For NASA TV downlink
information, schedules and links to streaming video, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/ntv
For information about the STS-124 mission and crew, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/shuttle
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